Selling PRESENT art for FUTURE art – Saturday, March 9

Local artists unite for Beach Elementary art program benefit Saturday, March 9

March 8, 2013

Raising funds for Beach Elementary's art program, a local artisans craft show benefit will be held in front of The Mermaid Lounge, 1204 Estero Blvd., Saturday, March 9, starting at 10 a.m. during the Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival.

Entitled "Arts for Action as '1' Show," several local artists, performers, crafters and musicians will come together to raise funds for the elementary school's art program, whose federal funding was recently cut, resulting in the local art teacher now working only two days a week, according to benefit coordinator John Heim.

"Her granted federal funds for supplies just about gets her a few sets of markers for everyone for the entire year," he said. "The idea of our benefit is for local artists who are willing to give half the proceeds to the cause of youthful expression, to celebrate creativity by our local island students. They need the supplies to be the artists that they are, and that's where we have come in to play."

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Join John Heim (above) and several other local artists Saturday, March 9, in front of The Mermaid Lounge, for a special art benefit, raising funds for Beach Elementary’s art program, which went through a recent and drastic budget cut. An array of fab art will be available. Photo courtesy JOHN HEIM.

Photo courtesy JOHN HEIM.

During the benefit, artists will have several pieces of work available for purchase, from pictures and paintings to jewelry and other crafts, with at least half going to the children's art fund. Each artist will also raffle off at least one piece of their choice, and have a donation jar set up for additional donations to the fund.

So far, artists planning to show off and offer their creative work include Christine Sullivan, Justin Pabis, Robyn Leaky, John Heim and Cristin Shaw-Nee Fisher.

"Christine is a photographer with funky art, Justin does hand-crafted beach jewelry and leather and hemp handbags and satchels, Robyn has paintings amongst other talented items, and I've got my usual crazy," John said. "I'll also be donating 100 percent of what I sell from my collection that day to the children's art fund, and will have prints available for just $5."

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If interested in offering and displaying your work for a cause, set-up is 8 a.m., Saturday morning.

"We will help preserve the importance of the arts for our island kids, and we will be present March 9 outside of The Mermaid to do our part as local artists for action as '1,'" John said. "Tell a friend and come lend as a community who believes in the power of youthful expression. We can't wait to see you all there."

As this benefit will be taking place during the Shrimp Festival, traffic will most likely be hectic. It's encouraged to car pool or take the trolley. For more information, or to announce your attendance, visit Facebook.com and search for "FMB Arts for Action as '1' Show."